Sri Lanka is called the “Pearl” of the Indian ocean. It is beautiful island in the Indian Ocean near the sub – continent of India. Being Sri Lankans, we are blessed with a fertile soil. We have numerous resources at our disposal.

The Northern province is one of the nine in Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by the sea on three sides and one by land. There are many beautiful sandy beaches in the area. The beaches are a nice source of witnessing the beautiful sunrise and sun – set with spiraling waves of the sea. Neighboring provinces are the Eastern, the North central and North West. The Northern province with almost flat land has a landscape offering you a greeny appearance from the vast stretch of paddy lands. The day to day needs of the people are adequately met by cereals and different kinds of vegetables grown in the Yala season. The water needed for agriculture is available through rains and from the reservoirs found in the catchment area, and mainly from underground water taken from the wells. The water is taken for cooking. drinking and bathing and also for washing clothes. Water is traditionally linked with the life of the people of the area.

The three sides of the sea is rich with marine resources. The fish found in the area are very tasty. Fish cooked with ingredients such as dried chillie powder, coconut milk and local onions is served as food which is tasty and appetizing.

The Northern province has a rich soil. The red – soil found in Valikamam and in many areas in the North, is a highly productive area. The Jaffna economy to a great extent depends on the crops grown on this red soil. The special natural gift of the North is the lime – stones. The stone found in plenty was the main reason for establishing a factory for the production of cement. The special feature of the North is the availability of tasty fruit like mangoes plantains, jak fruits, pomegranates and wood – apples. Most of these are found in plenty during the season, for the consumers. Many people make a visit to the North particularly for these. The king – yam is another sought – after thing in the North. There are 25 administrative district in Sri Lanka. Five of them are in the North : i:e Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar. They are further divided into 33 divisions for the purpose of decentralization.

For the purpose of administration, there is a system of Local government. namely municipal council, urban council and pradeshiya saba. There are one Municipal council, five urban councils and 31 pradeshiya sabas. All these are expected to serve the people.

Pilgrimages in the Northern Province.

The greatest concentration of people in the North are Hindus. Due to this, the places of religious importance are also many. Hindu devotees and many others visit here annually to take part in the festivals and to feast their eyes on.

Among the ancient and historical once are:

• Manthoddam – Thirukeetheeswaram
• Keerimalai - Naguleswaram
• Oddusuddan – Thanthontreeswaram
• Sivan Temple - Vannarpannai
• Ealaththuchchithamapram - Karainagar
• Kannagi Amman temple - Vattappalai
• Thurkaiamman - Tellippalai
• Nagapoosani temple - Nainativu

are among them.

There are many places of worship for God Vinayagar:

• Maruthady vinayagar - Manipay
• Paralai vinayagar - Moolai
• Thirumurukandy - Kilinochchi
• Thillaiampalappillaiyar – Thunnalai

are equally important.

There are special places for worship of God Vishnu:

• Varatharaja perumal - Ponnalai
• Vallipura Azhvar – Thunnalai
• Mayavan Temple – Vaddakkachchi

There are special places for worship for Murugan also

• Nallur Kandsamay Temple - Jaffna
• Selvasannithy Temple - Thondaimanaru
• Maviddapuram Kandsamy Temple – Maviddapuram
• Palani Murugan Temple - Vavuniya

Local devotees and devotees from other places and from aboard visit these temples annually. The temple premises of Nagathampiran Temple Puliyampokkanai and Nagathampiran Temple Nagarkovil are flooded with thousands of devotees during the annual Pongal Festival of these temples. There is an atmosphere of devotion about these places. There is a remarkable population of Christians also in the North. They have the Holy Madhu Church, Vavuniya Calvari Mountain, Lady of Refugee in Jaffna and church of Virgin Mary in Jaffna. Muslims living in the North have mosques in Jaffna, Erukkalampiddy, Mannar and Vavuniya that are religiously important. There is a sizeable Buddhist population also in the North. The temples called Nagatheepa, Naga vithara and Madukanda vihara are of historical importance. All these religions are observed with understanding and tolerance; a factor which is commendable. Besides annual festival, there are other important days that are celebrated by the people; i:e ‘Thaipongal’, April New year, ‘Dheepavali’, ‘Karthikai Vilakeedu’ and the like. For Christians also, there are Christmas and New year. Haj and Ramazan for the Muslims. The new year and Monthly full moon day are the ones observed by Buddhists.

Historical Excursion in the North.

There are many historical remnants in the North. They belong to Jaffna kingdom ruled by Tamil kings, and of Portugues Dutch and British. The ruins of the period of the Tamil kings, and of Portugues Dutch and British are partly destroyed and party in ruins. Due to this, we are unable to put them on display. However, people are able to see things like Nallur Manthiri Manai, Lake Jamuna, and the others during Pandaravanniyan period in Vavuniya.